Thistles for lunch

Columbia Ground Squirrel - 2014 © Christopher Martin

Well, not the whole thistle, just its flower.  At the same rest stop where we watched chipmunks eating berries, there were Columbia Ground Squirrels (Urocitellus columbines) scurrying about on an embankment.

Columbia Ground Squirrel - 2014 © Christopher Martin

They stood up to watch us, creating a short staring contest with my son, before resuming their runs from rock to rock and other spots around the hillside.  I was in a good position when one of them approached a thistle because it was a few feet away and the squirrel ran towards me with little regard for me or my camera.

Columbia Ground Squirrel - 2014 © Christopher Martin

The dexterity of its fingers and the delicate nibbling were really cool to watch up close.  And provided a nice distraction from the drive.

This entry was posted on August 27, 2014 by . It was filed under Columbia Ground Squirrel, Nature, Wildlife and was tagged with , , , , , , .

4 responses

  1. bearyweather

    Precious

    August 29, 2014 at 9:40 am

    Reply
  2. Lisa Gordon

    He is absolutely precious!

    August 27, 2014 at 1:53 pm

    Reply
  3. moondustwriter

    So Cute!!!!!

    August 27, 2014 at 1:42 pm

    Reply
  4. vastlycurious.com

    Perfect and sweet !

    August 27, 2014 at 12:30 pm

    Reply

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